Mullikin inducted into London International Hall of Fame
HOF recognizes excellence in martial arts
By Alex Junes-Ward
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Famed global expedition leader and S.C. Black Belt Hall of Famer, Dr. Tom Mullikin, was inducted into yet another martial arts institution, the London International Hall of Fame, during the HOF’s annual awards dinner in London, last month. The induction ceremony was presided over by international martial arts film star Gary Wasniewski (pictured with Mullikin).
Mullikin began his martial arts career in 1980 with introductory lessons at Genova Family Karate in South Carolina. His lifelong passion for martial arts continued for many years, and included both traditional karate training and ninjutsu training in California followed by tai chi training with a grand master in the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Back home in South Carolina, Mullikin continued his training at Lugoff Family Karate and Black Belt Instructor Ronnie McQuirt.
Mullikin’s skills carried over in his work as a self-defense instructor in the U.S. Army Reserve (teaching fitness and combatives as a certified U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer). Following his service as a U.S. Army officer, Mullikin was commissioned into the S.C. Military Department, serving first in the Joint Services Detachment followed by service in the S.C. State Guard from whence he retired in 2018 as major general (commander) of that historic military organization and as president of the State Guard Association of the United States.
Martial arts is a lifelong discipline for Mullikin wherein an important part of his daily regimen includes workouts and utilizing breathing and stretching techniques to overcome challenges associated with his birth defect of extreme bilateral club feet.
Mullikin credits martial arts with helping him climb mountains on every continent (reaching more than 20 summits) and having logged SCUBA dives in every ocean on earth. In recognition of his global environmental work, Mullikin has been inducted as a Fellow in the Explorers Club (New York), in the Royal Geographical Society (London) and engaged as a “National Geographic Expert” with the National Geographic Society. He also serves an energy-environmental attorney, university professor, and chairman of the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission.
A certified SCUBA instructor, Mullikin created and has certified SCUBA divers as “Ninja Divers” focusing on Asian dantian-breathing techniques to support dive operations.
Mullikin is a sixth-degree black belt – so-awarded by the S.C. High Dan Board (Keith Vitali, Mike Genova and Bruce Brutschy). A member of the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame and now the London International Hall of Fame, he is also an inductee in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
“Like hundreds more across South Carolina, I owe my passion and any skill I possess in martial arts not to Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee; but to Bruce Brutschy, Mike Genova and Keith Vitali,” said Mullikin. “These exceptional tournament fighters from South Carolina have established an unmatched international reputation here in South Carolina and the highest standards for excellence in martial arts anywhere in the world. I am not even a journeyman when compared to their distinction. Without them I am confident that I would not have achieved this and other milestones I have accomplished including walking at this stage in my life.”
The 18th-annual London International Hall of Fame awards dinner was held at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in London, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Seven days later, Mullikin was back and leading the 4th annual monthlong SC7 Expedition across South Carolina from the mountains to the sea. For more information about SC7, please visit – https://www.southcarolina7.com/.
The London International Hall of Fame was established in 2006.